The parish of Tittleshall is in the benefice of the Community of the Upper Nar. The church is open daily from 9.30am to dusk. Services are held three times each month normally at 11.00am.
The Parochial Church Council, which meets six times a year, co-operates with the Priest-in-charge to promote the whole mission of the Church. It also has, under ecclesiastical law, responsibilty for the maintenance and insurance of the Church fabric and contents. Over the past five years a great deal of restoration work has been done. Currently the Council is working towards installing new wiring and heating.
Church Wardens
Sara Garner, Godwick Hall, Tittleshall, PE32 1RJ. Tel. 01328 700277
Nicholas Hills, Old Rectory, Tittleshall, PE32 2PN. Tel. 01328 700700
St Mary's Church Services in February 2010
Sunday 14th 11.00am - Morning Prayer
Sunday 21st 11.00am - Holy Communion
Sunday 28th 11.15am - Family Service
HISTORY
The Church was built in the 13/14th century, the first Rector, Simon Le Parker, was appointed in 1302. It is Grade 1 listed and appears in the book England's Thousand Best Churches by Simon Jenkins
The Tower was built in the early part of the 14th century and has canopied niches in the outer buttress. The figures they originally contained were destroyed in 1547. The West window has decorated tracery typical of the period.
The chancel windows date from about 1320. The five light east window is Victorian stained glass. It is dedicated to the memory of Caroline Digby, the wife of Kenelm Digby.Rector 1835 - 1881. It was glazed in 1886 by Clayton and Bell.
The very wide nave with no side aisles dates from the 15th century. There are two stained glass windows dating from the end of the 19th century. The design of the font matches the nave windows being of the perpendicular period.
The four bells are inscribed DEO GRATIAS 1623. They were cast by William and Alice Brand of Norwich, Well cast they have moulded cable decoration on their canons. Although hung to swing full circle, they are unsafe at the moment. Parts of the bell frame date from c1350, originally for three bells it was enlarged in 1623 to take an extra bell.
Mausoleum
The mausoleum for the Coke family was built on the north side of the chancel in the early years of the 18th century and was bricked up until the mid 1980's when a door was installed. Among those entombed here Thomas Coke, the first Earl of Leicester.
The Organs
The organ by JJ Binns of Leeds, was a gift to the parish in 1897 by the Rev. R M Tillard. It was repaired and restored in 2003/4. It is now in its original condition apart from the addition of trombone stop and is used for recitals as well as services.
The Holdish Organ in the nave has a barrel organ mechanism over the keyboard.
Monuments
The monument to Sir Edward Coke is on the north wall of the sanctuary next to his memorial to Bridget, his first wife, in the chancel. Directly opposite is the Palladian monument to Thomas Coke, the first Earl of Leicester of the first creation, with busts of the earl and his Countess by Roubiliac. The first wife, Jane of Thomas William Coke, 'Coke of Norfolk' is commemorated with a beautiful obelisk by Nollekens. The fifth monument in the chancel is dedicated to Robert Coke, great grandson of Sir Edward. Among the commemorative plaques in the nave is one to Sir Edward's mother and one to three members of the Digby family killed in the First World war.
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